My sister and I were in Ocala visiting our mother after surgery and wanted to treat ourselves to a good dinner. We chose La Cuisine because of its high ratings, but our experience was extremely disappointing. We were seated promptly and ordered a bottle of wine, escargots, two halibut specials, and Parmesan truffle fries. The escargots were average at best, but the halibut was overcooked and dry, and the fries we ordered never arrived at all. What made the experience worse was the complete lack of accountability from our waitress, Jessie L. She never apologized, never acknowledged the missing side dish, and offered absolutely no explanation. For a restaurant that advertises itself as a “high-end” establishment, this level of service is unacceptable and frankly disrespectful to paying customers. There is no excuse for poorly cooked food, missing items, and staff who can’t be bothered to address their mistakes. Based on this visit, I would not recommend La Cuisine to anyone looking for quality dining or professional service.
Brett
La Cuisine French restaurant offers a delightful culinary experience that's hard to beat. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by a warm ambiance, complete with soft lighting and decor that transports you to France. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the grouper. Cooked to perfection, the fish was flaky and tender, complemented by a delicate lemon-butter meunière sauce that enhanced its natural flavors without overpowering them. Each bite was a delightful combination of freshness and subtle seasoning, showcasing the chef's expertise in seafood preparation. Equally impressive was the filet of beef, which was cooked precisely to order. It arrived beautifully seared on the outside while remaining juicy and flavorful on the inside. The dish as a whole was a testament to classic French cooking, executed with finesse. Our server, Shawn, truly elevated the dining experience. From the moment we were seated, he was attentive and knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu with enthusiasm. His recommendations were spot on, and he ensured that our glasses were never empty. Shawn's friendly demeanor added a personal touch, making us feel right at home. La Cuisine is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in an exquisite meal. With its inviting atmosphere and exceptional service, it's a culinary experience that lingers long after the meal is over. I can't recommend it highly enough!
Peggy
Visited for my retirement dinner and brought the family. Food was great and service even better!
Michael
We have been coming to La Cuisine for our wedding anniversary for many years. The food was typically outstanding but unfortunately not this year. I ordered the rack of lamb cooked medium. I received very fatty chops barely cooked at all! My wife ordered the swordfish, which was good but uninspiring. The shrimp starter was flavorful and the soufflé wonderfully airy both were very well presented. Maybe we will start a new tradition next year.
Julia
Our dinner was disappointing as we originally had a reservation for 3 ppl. I called and emailed to let the restaurant know that we were a party of 2. We were seated immediately and taken to a 4 top table under the air conditioning. We asked to move and we were moved to another room and again at a 4 top. There were other tables in which we could have been seated. It was my husband's birthday, I thought this would be a special event especially since we drove from The Villages. There was a birthday greeting card on the 1st table.. that was nice. But never mentioned his birthday or never asked for a special dessert. The meal was disappointing and the night's special was described entirely different from the rather small ramikin filled with mashed potatoes. Barely found any seafood. It was described as a plate not a casserole type dish. The other entree we ordered was the duck breast with rice/gruyere cheese and glazed carrots. The duck was fatty and the rice was so bad I couldn't eat it plus it looked as terrible as it tasted. The carrots were fine. The whole dinner was $172. I think with the French onion soup ( it was okay) and 4 glasses of wine. The service was good but as a whole, I don't see us returning. Not a good value for our experience.
Steve C
I live in Ocala and La Cuisine is my go to restaurant when I want great food, excellent service but most importantly consistently good quality food. Their wine list is great also. I often eat the Cassoulet, which now is called Duck Keg Confit and Butter Beans. I’ve had many items on the menu and never a meal less than great. You just can’t go wrong with La Cusine. The restaurant is comfortable , yet a quiet elegance. On the weekends they have music, which at times is a bit loud for we hard of hearing seniors. The outdoor seating looks at the parking lot but can be quiet if you are looking to avoid the music. When the humidity dies off, I often choose to sit outside.
Nicholas
Absolutely the best French cuisine in central Florida. This gem easily competes and may actually surpass some the finest French restaurants that proliferate New York City. Highly recommended for those with a real discerning palate. The French onion soup is delectable; the escargots are tender and perfectly seasoned with drawn butter and a only hint of garlic which serves to accentuate the protein rather than overwhelm it. The bread basket is fresh and includes bagguettes, plain and chocolate croissants. Bravo Patrice!!!
Joaquin
The food, while good, was not exceptional. I was disappointed with my dish. Good, just not great.
Jeffrey
What an exceptional restaurant. The service was impeccable. I had the pork shank - fell off the bone and just tasted so good. My wife had the duck with risotto and loved it. The French bread is also very good. Can't wait to go back.
Laurie
4 people for dinner - 3 had the French Onion Soup which was lukewarm both a weak broth and way too much cheese in the bowl. 1 had halibut - not tender; 1 had hamburger with the bacon not being well cooked even after the person asked for that; 1 had the lamb which was served rather rare; 1 had frog legs which were very good. The desserts were good. There was a singer performing and she was rather loud - good thing we sat in the next room. Definitely a mediocre evening, unfortunate because we were celebrating someone's birthday.
Wonderful food and atmosphere Jesse is excellent as always. Sat on the patio. Perfect evening!
Freddy Tejeda
La Cuisine was an amazing experience. Heidi was such an amazing server and truly made our experience memorable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John L
My wife and I ate here about a month ago and decided to wait until our trip to Paris to write this review because we wanted to come back and try it again and compare it to the real deal — well, after dining in France last week at renowned restaurants like Jules Verne atop the Eiffel Tower and hidden gems away from tourists at places such as Perruche, and La Renommée - I can happily say that I didn’t expect to come home and have a meal back in my home town that surpassed them—but La Cuisine did. My favorite dish, the Beef Bourguignon was flawlessly balanced, rich with authentic flavor, and beautifully presented. The service was refined yet warm, and the atmosphere felt genuinely intimate.
La Cuisine captures the essence of fine French dining with more heart and precision than the Paris establishments themselves. It’s a rare gem that proves world-class cuisine doesn’t require a passport—just a reservation in Ocala.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 6 Escargots De Bourgogne, Beef Bourguignon
THOMAS ROSATO
Excellent food 😋.
Peter
Brunch at La Cuisine was the perfect place to celebrate my 75th birthday! As soon as you step in the restaurant you are surrounded by a charming French decor and ambience. My wife and I both savored our orders. She had Savory Crepes - filled with ham, swiss cheese and mushrooms and smothered in a bechamel sauce. I had the Eggs Meurette - two poached eggs smothered in a burgundy wine sauce and including pork belly and mushrooms over a baguette along with roasted rosemary potatoes. Delicious! We definitely plan on returning for dinner next time!
My sister and I were in Ocala visiting our mother after surgery and wanted to treat ourselves to a good dinner. We chose La Cuisine because of its high ratings, but our experience was extremely disappointing. We were seated promptly and ordered a bottle of wine, escargots, two halibut specials, and Parmesan truffle fries. The escargots were average at best, but the halibut was overcooked and dry, and the fries we ordered never arrived at all. What made the experience worse was the complete lack of accountability from our waitress, Jessie L. She never apologized, never acknowledged the missing side dish, and offered absolutely no explanation. For a restaurant that advertises itself as a “high-end” establishment, this level of service is unacceptable and frankly disrespectful to paying customers. There is no excuse for poorly cooked food, missing items, and staff who can’t be bothered to address their mistakes. Based on this visit, I would not recommend La Cuisine to anyone looking for quality dining or professional service.
La Cuisine French restaurant offers a delightful culinary experience that's hard to beat. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by a warm ambiance, complete with soft lighting and decor that transports you to France. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the grouper. Cooked to perfection, the fish was flaky and tender, complemented by a delicate lemon-butter meunière sauce that enhanced its natural flavors without overpowering them. Each bite was a delightful combination of freshness and subtle seasoning, showcasing the chef's expertise in seafood preparation. Equally impressive was the filet of beef, which was cooked precisely to order. It arrived beautifully seared on the outside while remaining juicy and flavorful on the inside. The dish as a whole was a testament to classic French cooking, executed with finesse. Our server, Shawn, truly elevated the dining experience. From the moment we were seated, he was attentive and knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu with enthusiasm. His recommendations were spot on, and he ensured that our glasses were never empty. Shawn's friendly demeanor added a personal touch, making us feel right at home. La Cuisine is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in an exquisite meal. With its inviting atmosphere and exceptional service, it's a culinary experience that lingers long after the meal is over. I can't recommend it highly enough!
Visited for my retirement dinner and brought the family. Food was great and service even better!
We have been coming to La Cuisine for our wedding anniversary for many years. The food was typically outstanding but unfortunately not this year. I ordered the rack of lamb cooked medium. I received very fatty chops barely cooked at all! My wife ordered the swordfish, which was good but uninspiring. The shrimp starter was flavorful and the soufflé wonderfully airy both were very well presented. Maybe we will start a new tradition next year.
Our dinner was disappointing as we originally had a reservation for 3 ppl. I called and emailed to let the restaurant know that we were a party of 2. We were seated immediately and taken to a 4 top table under the air conditioning. We asked to move and we were moved to another room and again at a 4 top. There were other tables in which we could have been seated. It was my husband's birthday, I thought this would be a special event especially since we drove from The Villages. There was a birthday greeting card on the 1st table.. that was nice. But never mentioned his birthday or never asked for a special dessert. The meal was disappointing and the night's special was described entirely different from the rather small ramikin filled with mashed potatoes. Barely found any seafood. It was described as a plate not a casserole type dish. The other entree we ordered was the duck breast with rice/gruyere cheese and glazed carrots. The duck was fatty and the rice was so bad I couldn't eat it plus it looked as terrible as it tasted. The carrots were fine. The whole dinner was $172. I think with the French onion soup ( it was okay) and 4 glasses of wine. The service was good but as a whole, I don't see us returning. Not a good value for our experience.
I live in Ocala and La Cuisine is my go to restaurant when I want great food, excellent service but most importantly consistently good quality food. Their wine list is great also. I often eat the Cassoulet, which now is called Duck Keg Confit and Butter Beans. I’ve had many items on the menu and never a meal less than great. You just can’t go wrong with La Cusine. The restaurant is comfortable , yet a quiet elegance. On the weekends they have music, which at times is a bit loud for we hard of hearing seniors. The outdoor seating looks at the parking lot but can be quiet if you are looking to avoid the music. When the humidity dies off, I often choose to sit outside.
Absolutely the best French cuisine in central Florida. This gem easily competes and may actually surpass some the finest French restaurants that proliferate New York City. Highly recommended for those with a real discerning palate. The French onion soup is delectable; the escargots are tender and perfectly seasoned with drawn butter and a only hint of garlic which serves to accentuate the protein rather than overwhelm it. The bread basket is fresh and includes bagguettes, plain and chocolate croissants. Bravo Patrice!!!
The food, while good, was not exceptional. I was disappointed with my dish. Good, just not great.
What an exceptional restaurant. The service was impeccable. I had the pork shank - fell off the bone and just tasted so good. My wife had the duck with risotto and loved it. The French bread is also very good. Can't wait to go back.
4 people for dinner - 3 had the French Onion Soup which was lukewarm both a weak broth and way too much cheese in the bowl. 1 had halibut - not tender; 1 had hamburger with the bacon not being well cooked even after the person asked for that; 1 had the lamb which was served rather rare; 1 had frog legs which were very good. The desserts were good. There was a singer performing and she was rather loud - good thing we sat in the next room. Definitely a mediocre evening, unfortunate because we were celebrating someone's birthday.
Restaurantji Recommends
Wonderful food and atmosphere Jesse is excellent as always. Sat on the patio. Perfect evening!
La Cuisine was an amazing experience. Heidi was such an amazing server and truly made our experience memorable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I ate here about a month ago and decided to wait until our trip to Paris to write this review because we wanted to come back and try it again and compare it to the real deal — well, after dining in France last week at renowned restaurants like Jules Verne atop the Eiffel Tower and hidden gems away from tourists at places such as Perruche, and La Renommée - I can happily say that I didn’t expect to come home and have a meal back in my home town that surpassed them—but La Cuisine did. My favorite dish, the Beef Bourguignon was flawlessly balanced, rich with authentic flavor, and beautifully presented. The service was refined yet warm, and the atmosphere felt genuinely intimate.
La Cuisine captures the essence of fine French dining with more heart and precision than the Paris establishments themselves. It’s a rare gem that proves world-class cuisine doesn’t require a passport—just a reservation in Ocala.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 6 Escargots De Bourgogne, Beef Bourguignon
Excellent food 😋.
Brunch at La Cuisine was the perfect place to celebrate my 75th birthday! As soon as you step in the restaurant you are surrounded by a charming French decor and ambience. My wife and I both savored our orders. She had Savory Crepes - filled with ham, swiss cheese and mushrooms and smothered in a bechamel sauce. I had the Eggs Meurette - two poached eggs smothered in a burgundy wine sauce and including pork belly and mushrooms over a baguette along with roasted rosemary potatoes. Delicious! We definitely plan on returning for dinner next time!
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